Young Thug Rap Lyrics Will Be Used at Trial

Last year rapper Young Thug and 27 of his YSL Records associates were arrested on RICO charges in Fulton County, GA [click here if you missed that]. 

This week a judge ruled that Young Thugs rap lyrics can be used against him in court...

From 11 Alive

Rap lyrics will be used as evidence against Atlanta rapper Young Thug, whose legal name is Jeffery Williams, and five co-defendants in the high-profile YSL RICO case, a judge ruled Thursday.

Fulton County Judge Ural Glanville decided the songs are relevant in determining gang affiliation.

After hearing nearly nine hours of testimony on whether lyrics can or should be used, Glanville ruled that some of the rap lyrics do not fall under First Amendment protection.

"This particular gang lyrics or evidence is admissible for several reasons," Glanville said. "The rap lyrics are relevant... terms and or symbols or signs may be appropriate and relevant given meaning to gang determination."

The decision is a big blow for the defense; they argued that rap lyrics are protected speech and should not be part of the evidence in the case. However, the judge ultimately disagreed.

Glanville said he will allow limited use of the song. Currently, 17 sets of lyrics from songs Young Thug, as well as the other defendants performed, will be included as part of the evidence in this case.

An example of this is the lyric, "I shot at his mommy. Now, she no longer mention me and I never killed anybody but I got something to do with that body. I told them to shoot a hundred rounds."

In the lyric, Young Thug goes on to rap "I'm a general," which the state believes YSL is a gang and that Young Thug is its leader.